Speaking of Siva

Speaking of Siva presents English translations of vacanas - religious lyric poems written by four major saints from the Virasaiva movement in 12th century India. The poems were originally composed in Kannada, a South Indian language. The book provides biographical context for each of the four poet-saints: Basavanna, Devara Dasimayya, Mahadeviyakka, and Allama Prabhu. Their personal histories and religious experiences frame the carefully translated selections of their devotional poetry. Ramanujan includes detailed notes on the cultural, linguistic and religious background needed to understand these works, along with explanations of his translation choices. The introduction examines the Virasaiva movement's radical rejection of traditional Hindu practices and its unique approach to devotional expression. These poems explore themes of religious devotion, spiritual seeking, and the tension between worldly existence and transcendent experience. Through stark imagery and direct language, they reveal an intimate and sometimes confrontational relationship between devotee and deity.

Readers value this collection for making Kannada Virashaiva poetry accessible to English speakers while preserving the original's devotional power. Multiple reviews note Ramanujan's skilled translations maintain both literal meaning and poetic beauty. Likes: - Clear explanatory notes providing historical/cultural context - Inclusion of original Kannada text alongside translations - Focus on four major Virashaiva poets gives depth to each voice - Captures the raw emotion and mysticism of bhakti poetry Dislikes: - Some feel the introduction is too academic and dense - A few readers wanted more biographical details about the poets - Limited selection of verses from each poet Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (12 ratings) Notable reader comment: "These translations reveal the universal human experience in what could have remained culturally specific poetry - Ramanujan bridges that gap without compromising authenticity." - Goodreads reviewer

Kabir: The Weaver's Songs by Vinay Dharwadker These translations capture Kabir's devotional poetry and social critique in the Bhakti tradition similar to Basavanna's verses.

Songs of Mirabai by A.J. Alston The poems document Mirabai's Krishna devotion and defiance of social norms through verses that parallel the Virasaiva poets' intensity.

The Bijak of Kabir by Linda Hess and Shukdev Singh These translations present Kabir's mystical poetry with its fusion of Hindu and Islamic elements that resemble the Virasaiva rejection of religious orthodoxy.

Bhakti Poetry in Medieval India by M.S. Kushwaha This collection examines devotional poetry across multiple Indian languages and regions, providing context for the Virasaiva movement.

The Word Is Sacred, Sacred Is The Word by Prabha Duneja The text analyzes Indian devotional poetry traditions including the Virasaivas, demonstrating their impact on religious and social reform movements.

🕉️ A.K. Ramanujan spent over 20 years collecting and translating these medieval Kannada poems, known as "vachanas," working with both written texts and oral traditions to capture their authentic spirit. 📝 The poems in "Speaking of Siva" were originally composed by four different saints (Basavanna, Devara Dasimayya, Mahadeviyakka, and Allama Prabhu) who rejected traditional Sanskrit literature in favor of writing in the common language of the people. ⚡ The Virasaiva movement, which these poems represent, was revolutionary for its time as it rejected the caste system, temple worship, and ritual sacrifices—allowing anyone, regardless of social status or gender, to seek direct communion with Siva. 👗 Mahadeviyakka, one of the poets featured in the book, was known as "the naked saint" because she refused to wear clothes, considering them a worldly attachment that came between her and her beloved Lord Siva. 🎭 The title "Speaking of Siva" has a double meaning—it refers both to speaking about Siva and speaking as Siva, since many of the poems blur the line between devotee and deity in their intimate expressions of devotion.